Pokégear
Pokémon Gear (Japanese: ポケモンギア Pokémon Gear), or more commonly just PokéGear (Japanese: ポケギア PokéGear), is an electronic device found in Johto. It looks like a large, advanced wristwatch with a symbol resembling an S at the top, perhaps the Silph Co. logo, which gives clues to who actually manufactured the product. It was first introduced in Generation II; the Generation III analog to the PokéGear appears to be the PokéNav, while the Generation IV counterpart is the Pokétch.
The PokéGear is an important tool for Trainers, some see it necessary to have one on a Trainer's adventure. The main character of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal receives a PokéGear from their mother at the start of their journey. The player is able to have access to the PokéGear by selecting it from the menu. At that, it is easy to navigate through the PokéGear by selecting through four different functions located at the top-left of the screen. It displays the map of the region, names of previously fought trainers, the current time. It also allow players to call registered trainers. However, certain functions need to be unlocked during the game by receiving special expansion cards.
The PokéGear returns in the Generation IV remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. The interface has been completely redesigned, using both screens on the Nintendo DS. The top will always display the time function on the PokéGear, while the touch screen will display the other different functions of the PokéGear, as well as selecting other functions using the touch screen. The outer aesthetics of the PokéGear have changed abruptly as well. The whole PokéGear is a flip top, while the bottom section of the PokéGear is used to scan special expansion cards to upgrade it with other functions.
Functions
The PokéGear's functionality comes from its features and applications, that can be installed in it, making it extensible. Many people are willing to give away special expansion cards to upgrade the PokéGear with other functions. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, there are 4 available functions, two of which are included with the PokéGear. The rest are not available at the start but can be received at a later time.
Time
Included in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal with the PokéGear, the time function is the most basic feature, the PokéGear will digitally display the time of day, and day of the week in a 12-hour AM/PM format. It runs off of the time the player gave to the game system at the beginning of the game.
A glitch in Pokémon Gold and Sliver occurred in which if the functions were scrolled through, the day will instantly change. It was fixed in Pokémon Crystal.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the time will always be displayed on the top screen of the DS. However, unlike the time in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, this time running in 24-hour format, instead of 12-hour format, and will run off of the Nintendo DS's internal clock. There is also a wireless signal measurement next the time.
- PokéGearTime.png
The time function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal
- PokéGearPhone HGSS.png
The top screen in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Map
Obtained after the player receives a map card for the PokéGear after taking a tour of Cherrygrove City from the old man, the map function of the PokéGear acts as a Town Map displaying a map of Johto and later Kanto with cities, towns and other important landmarks. It is the most basic of the map devices used by player, and is the navigational item for all Generation II games.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the mechanics of the map remain the same, only to have several added features, including the ability to zoom in to display areas of interest, with certain locations having a small flavor text. There is another feature that allows the player to add notes and markings to different locations, to allow the player to make notes about each area about the Pokémon in the area, any Apricorn or Berry trees, any special buildings, any TMs placement or any other notes. These notes will appear on the top screen when the player highlights that specific area on the map. Like the Marking Map on the Pokétch, it also displays the current locations of all Pokémon that travel around Johto, including Entei, Raikou and Suicune.
- PokéGearMap.png
The map function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal
- PokéGearMap HGSS.png
The map function in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Phone
Included in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal with the PokéGear, the phone function on the PokéGear will function like a cellphone, allowing the user to make calls to people that they've traded phone numbers with. This allows the player to talk to other characters and learn information from them, such as battling tips or when rare Pokémon appear. The player can also store numbers of other important people, like their mom, or Professor Elm. Mom will also ring every so often, telling the player about the money she has saved (if opted for by the player) and occasionally buys decorations for the bedroom, or items such as Super Potions. The phone function has a memory bank that can save up to ten people on the phone.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the phone function makes a return, and will be used in the same way. The player will able to select a person to call from the touch screen, and be able to call them. However, unlike the phone function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, it is able to store over 10 different numbers onto its memory. The player's mom will once again providing her unique money-saving services.
Trainer phone listing
| Person | Location | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Bill | Goldenrod City | Calls when Bill's PC box is full. |
| Bird Keeper Jose | Route 26 | Gives away Star Pieces. |
| Bird Keeper Vance | Route 44 | Gives away Carbos. |
| Black Belt Kenji | Route 45 | Gives away PP Ups during random lunch breaks at noon. |
| Buena | Goldenrod City | Crystal only: obtainable after getting 30 Blue Card points. |
| Bug Catcher Arnie | Route 35 | Calls during a Yanma swarm. |
| Bug Catcher Wade | Route 31 | Reminds player of the Bug-Catching Contest. Gives away berries. |
| Camper Todd | Route 34 | Reminds player of the Goldenrod Department Store's bargain sale. |
| Cooltrainer Beth | Route 27 | |
| Cooltrainer Gaven | Route 27 | |
| Cooltrainer Reena | Route 26 | |
| Fisher Chris*/Tully* | Route 42 | Crystal only: Gives away Water Stones. |
| Fisher Ralph | Route 32 | Calls during a Qwilfish swarm. |
| Fisher Wilton | Route 44 | Calls during a Remoraid swarm, and gives away various Poké Balls. |
| Hiker Anthony | Route 33 | Calls during a Dunsparce swarm. |
| Hiker Parry | Route 45 | Calls during a Marill swarm. |
| Juggler Irwin | Route 35 | |
| Lass Dana | Route 38 | Crystal only: Gives away Thunderstones. |
| Mom* | New Bark Town | Saves the player's money and buys items. |
| Picnicker Erin | Route 46 | |
| Picnicker Gina | Route 34 | Crystal only: Gives away Leaf Stones. |
| Picnicker Liz | Route 32 | |
| Picnicker Tiffany | Route 43 | |
| PokéFan Beverley | National Park | Requires Marill in party: Gives away Nuggets. |
| PokéFan Derek | Route 39 | |
| PokéManiac Brent | Route 43 | |
| Professor Elm* | New Bark Town | Calls about major events. |
| Schoolboy Alan | Route 36 | Crystal only: Gives away Fire Stones. |
| Schoolboy Chad | Route 38 | Calls during a Snubbull swarm. |
| Schoolboy Jack | National Park | |
| Sailor Huey | Glitter Lighthouse | |
| Youngster Joey | Route 30 |
Radio
Obtained after the Radio Card is received from a quiz host at the Johto Radio Tower, radio function allows music to be played like a radio. The PokéGear functions as a radio that allows the player to listen to the radio stations within the game being broadcast from Johto Radio Tower. This allows the player to get tips from Professor Oak and DJ Mary on Oak's Pokémon Talk, affect how active wild Pokémon are by playing Pokémon March or Pokémon Lullaby on the Pokémon Music station, or listen to the Lucky Channel to keep track of the Johto Radio Tower's lottery promotion.
When the player travels into Kanto they will not receive a signal for the radia, and must obtain an EXPN Card to tune into certain stations in Kanto; this is obtained from someone at the Kanto Radio Tower after restoring the power to Kanto.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the radio function makes a return, however tuning the radio to listen to music is different to the Gold, Silver and Crystal. There is a giant global on the touch screen that allows signal, however the exact way is not known yet.
- PokéGearRadio.png
The radio function in Gold, Silver, and Crystal
- PokéGearRadio HGSS.png
The radio function in HeartGold and SoulSilver
Radio shows
| Program | Host(s) | Channel | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk | Professor Oak, DJ Mary | 4.5 (Johto) | Talk show discussing locations where semi-rare Pokémon can be found. |
| Pokémon Music | DJ Ben | 7.5 (Johto) | Broadcasts music: either a march or a lullaby, depending on the time of day |
| Lucky Channel | Reed | 8.5 (Johto) | Broadcasts one ID per week; trainers who come to the welcome center with a Pokémon whose ID is similar will win a prize. |
| Buena's Password | Buena | 10.5 (Johto) | Broadcasts one password per night between 6 PM-12 AM; trainers who come to Buena and recite the password can get points redeemable for prizes (Crystal only). |
| Un(kn)own Radio Station | Unown | 13.5 (Johto) | Strange noises will play. Ruins of Alph only. |
| Places and People | DJ Lily | 16.5 (Kanto) | Talk show discussing Kanto locations or trainers the player has faced. Requires EXPN Card in Pokémon Crystal. |
| Let's All Sing | DJ Fern | 18.5 (Kanto) | Broadcasts music, either a march or a lullaby. Requires EXPN Card in Pokémon Crystal. |
| Poké Flute | (no DJ) | 20 (Kanto) | Plays Poké Flute music. Used to awaken Snorlax. Requires EXPN Card. |
| Team Rocket evolution signal (Shown as ?????) | Team Rocket HQ | 20.5 (Johto) | An eerie tune plays over and over. Only plays in Mahogany Town, Route 43, and Lake of Rage. No longer plays when the player has cleared the Team Rocket Hideout. |
| Team Rocket's announcement (replaces other radio station) | Team Rocket | Every radio station (Johto) | Plays on every radio station once Team Rocket has succeeded in taking over the Radio Tower. A Team Rocket executive announces over the airwaves that they have rejoined, and pleads their boss, Giovanni, to come out of hiding and rejoin them. Begins playing once the player has obtained seven badges, no longer plays when Team Rocket disbands. |
In the anime
In the anime, it is shown that the PokéGear has at least two designs, a black one and a white and pink one. Several characters in the anime own PokéGears:
- Lisa lent hers to Ash so that he could keep in contact with Professor Oak in Spell of the Unown.
- Jimmy, Marina and Vincent all own PokéGears. A plot point of The Legend of Thunder! is that it includes a tracking system to show where the other PokéGears currently are.
- Misty also owns one, so that she can keep in contact with her sisters at the Cerulean Gym.
TCG
The PokéGear appears as a card in the Neo Genesis set.
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